In it’s first year, FemHealth Integrates is a unique event addressing the gender gap in healthcare – both in health outcomes and within the health industry workforce. Tackling both decades-long inequalities and the emerging field of FemTech, FemHealth Integrates is the perfect opportunity for people of all genders to come together to bring about greater equality in biotech and healthcare.
Novartis
Global Head Wellbeing
Alex Hogarty is Global Head Wellbeing at Novartis, an innovative medicines company. Alex is an accomplished business transformation leader with 20+ years’ experience enhancing people experiences across a range of multinational organizations. In his role as Global Head Wellbeing, Alex is creating systematic change across Novartis to embed a care agenda by prioritizing the mental health and wellbeing of their people.
Cellular Highways
Global Commercial Vice President
I am a senior leader in the biotech industry, with a deep commitment to advancing health
equity for underrepresented groups. With a distinguished career driving the
commercialisation of on innovative and groundbreaking life science research solutions such
as gene sequencing, I am a passionate advocate for integrating genomics into efforts to reduce
health disparities. I am actively involved in several projects centred around genomics,
emphasising the need for broader participation and representation of underrepresented groups
in genomic research to ensure that the benefits of precision medicine are enjoyed by
everyone.
In addition to my work in genomic equity, I recently founded In Bloom Health Ltd, a
company dedicated to empowering women with the knowledge and resources they need to
advocate for the best possible care within the healthcare system. In Bloom Health equips
women—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds (e.g. Black and/or
Neurodivergent women)—with information that helps them navigate healthcare challenges
and make informed decisions about their health. The company’s mission is rooted in the
belief that health equity begins with access to information and the ability to advocate for
oneself. By driving conversations around the intersection of medical research, funding
policies and social equity, I seek to champion environments where equitable access to
healthcare becomes a reality.
Lifted Ventures
Co-Founder
Jordan Dargue, is a founder, senior executive, investor, NED and seasoned investment expert. Her boundless passion for innovation, coupled with a remarkable track record of achievements, positions her within the realms of growth and investment.
Jordan’s transformative influence is evident through her leadership in orchestrating multi-million equity-based investment rounds, cultivating award-winning investor networks, and offering unwavering support to thousands of SMEs on their journey toward expansion and investment.
Jordan is Co Founder of Lifted Ventures. Lifted exists to increase the flow of early stage capital to female founders and promote the significant business benefits of backing women. The Lifted Ventures flywheel has an angel network at its core, alongside accelerated education, community and consultancy.
Previously Jordan was co-leader and Board Director of multi award winning NorthInvest, and in 2020 she co-founded Fund Her North and Women Angels of the North, a collective of women in VCs and Angel investors who support female founders to get equal access to finance.
OvartiX
Co-Founder
Cambridge University Genomic Medicine PhD on a mission to reshape the future of women’s health by developing prediction tools and next generation therapeutics for female reproductive disorders.
A young leader with an excellent international academic record (Nature, Science, Nature Medicine) and outstanding achievements in health-tech transfer and innovations. Based on her impact, Stasa was awarded ‘McKinsey&Company Next Generation Women Leader’ for 2020, the best young investigator under the age of 40 by the International Menopause Society (‘Robert Greenblatt Award’), one of ten best UK young scientists in the biomedical sector by the UK Government ‘STEM for Britain’, and she is considered as one of 11 scientists with the highest impact on innovations in women’s health and menopause by Forbes.
Bruntwood SciTech
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Kath Mackay is Director of Life Sciences at Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park, the UK’s largest single site life science and innovation campus. She is on the leadership team of Bruntwood SciTech – a 50:50 JV between leading property developer Bruntwood and Legal & General – the UK’s largest network of science and technology campuses.
Kath joined from Innovate UK where she was Director of Ageing Society, Health and Nutrition, and part of the executive management team leading the economic growth of all industrial sectors through business led innovation. She led the team responsible for growing and scaling businesses working in the biomedical, health, agriculture and food sectors, including development of new challenges under the Government’s Industrial Strategy and responsibility for the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult and Medicines Discovery Catapult.
Kath is also Non-Executive Director of the Northern Health Science Alliance, the North of England’s health partnership, across a population of 16 million people, bringing together ten universities, ten research-intensive NHS Trusts and four Academic Health Science Networks, and Non-Executive Director of the UK’s Antimicrobial Resistance Centre.
Lifted Ventures
Co-Founder
Jordan Dargue, is a founder, senior executive, investor, NED and seasoned investment expert. Her boundless passion for innovation, coupled with a remarkable track record of achievements, positions her within the realms of growth and investment.
Jordan’s transformative influence is evident through her leadership in orchestrating multi-million equity-based investment rounds, cultivating award-winning investor networks, and offering unwavering support to thousands of SMEs on their journey toward expansion and investment.
Jordan is Co Founder of Lifted Ventures. Lifted exists to increase the flow of early stage capital to female founders and promote the significant business benefits of backing women. The Lifted Ventures flywheel has an angel network at its core, alongside accelerated education, community and consultancy.
Previously Jordan was co-leader and Board Director of multi award winning NorthInvest, and in 2020 she co-founded Fund Her North and Women Angels of the North, a collective of women in VCs and Angel investors who support female founders to get equal access to finance.
The Bettii Pod
Founder & CEO
I am a passionate advocate for creative innovation and start-ups, especially female and STEM based companies with an ESG focus.
I am currently driving forward my own start up company focused on creating an “away from home” installed cleaning infrastructure for reusable menstrual cups and discs. Menstrual blood contains stem cells and health markers capable of giving early detection for such illnesses as cancers, endometriosis, arthritis, fertility issues and diabetes.
Bruntwood SciTech
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr Kath Mackay is Director of Life Sciences at Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park, the UK’s largest single site life science and innovation campus. She is on the leadership team of Bruntwood SciTech – a 50:50 JV between leading property developer Bruntwood and Legal & General – the UK’s largest network of science and technology campuses.
Kath joined from Innovate UK where she was Director of Ageing Society, Health and Nutrition, and part of the executive management team leading the economic growth of all industrial sectors through business led innovation. She led the team responsible for growing and scaling businesses working in the biomedical, health, agriculture and food sectors, including development of new challenges under the Government’s Industrial Strategy and responsibility for the Cell & Gene Therapy Catapult and Medicines Discovery Catapult.
Kath is also Non-Executive Director of the Northern Health Science Alliance, the North of England’s health partnership, across a population of 16 million people, bringing together ten universities, ten research-intensive NHS Trusts and four Academic Health Science Networks, and Non-Executive Director of the UK’s Antimicrobial Resistance Centre.
Before 1993, women were rarely included in clinical trials. Today, women are still underrepresented in trials, meaning we still don’t know how well many drugs and devices work for women. How can we increase the inclusion of women in medical research?
Mills & Reeve
Partner
Stephanie is a lawyer in the Mills & Reeve LLP life sciences team, with experience in intellectual property, data protection, commercial contracting and regulatory work. She supports a wide variety of clients in the sector across the full product life cycle.
Her work includes advising on research and development agreements, collaborations and intellectual property licences. A key focus of her work is supporting clients on strategic decisions influenced by the regulatory framework, development and licensing of products, research collaborations and data protection implications in research and clinical trials, including cross-border issues.
Stephanie has supported her clients in connection with their efforts to respond to, and develop treatments for, major epidemic and pandemic threats over the past decade, including collection and transfer of patient samples internationally.
Department for Business and Trade
National Life Sciences Inward Investment Specialist
Dace plays a significant role in attracting and increasing investment in Life Sciences in England and helps the region achieve its ambitions across the sector. Dace works with businesses, matching them to opportunities, by supporting and advising them on setting up or expanding their presence. She also supports businesses through enabling regional partnerships, matching investors with live opportunities, connecting investors with industry contacts and identifying suitable investment locations. By working with global networks and opinion leaders across the various regional systems, Dace leads on the Life Sciences portfolio and sets and implements the operational strategy for England to achieve the objectives for inward investment in the Life Sciences sector and priority markets.
NorthWest EHealth
Head of Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Services
Head of Pharmacovigilance & Regulatory Services at NWEH, with a passion for advancing inclusivity and diversity in clinical trials. I am dedicated to addressing health disparities, particularly in women’s health, by driving innovative and representative research practices. Alongside this, I lead efforts to enhance safety monitoring through cutting-edge solutions, ensuring patient safety is prioritised while maintaining real-world methodologies. By combining a focus on inclusivity with robust safety processes, I strive to deliver meaningful improvements in health outcomes for all.
Clinology
Chief Executive Officer
A highly experienced clinical research leader with a proven track record in scaling and optimizing CROs, Site Management Organizations (SMOs), and clinical trial networks. Extensive expertise in developing and implementing growth strategies, operational efficiencies, and business transformation initiatives across global research landscapes.
Panthera Biopartners
Associate Medical Director
Panthera is an independent SMO working with pharmaceutical and contract research organizations to find the right patient, for the right trial, at the right time through the recruitment and retention of patients at its own dedicated research sites. Comprised of industry experts the Panthera team has come together to provide a professional, flexible and independent solution for clinical trials.
Investment in women’s health innovations is increasing. To sustain this growth, we need to involve more women as investors to create a more inclusive and impactful VC landscape. How can we build a cohort of female investors to support purpose-led, innovative, commercially strong women-founded businesses?
Mills & Reeve
Corporate Partner
Vicky is a partner in the corporate team with a particular focus in the life sciences and technology sectors. She works with clients on a variety of corporate matters including: disposals and acquisitions, investments (equity and debt); corporate governance; shareholder and joint venture arrangements and corporate restructures and reorganisations.
Praetura Ventures
Investment Manager
Jess Jackson is an investment manager at Praetura Ventures and is responsible for identifying and managing investment opportunities for our EIS Growth Fund and the GMC Life Sciences Fund By Praetura. Jess boasts a wealth of experience working with startups across multiple sectors, including businesses with a social impact focus and is a well-known figure in the North’s investment scene. She is a founding member of Fund Her North – a collective which champions investment opportunities for women – and regularly gives talks around this subject and the early-stage investment market. Prior to joining Praetura Ventures, Jess managed fund deployment at GC Angels and HNWI Capital.
Lifted Ventures
Co-Founder
Helen Oldham is Co Founder of Lifted Ventures, whose mission is to increase the flow of early stage capital to regional, female founders and promote the significant business benefits of backing women. The Lifted Ventures flywheel has an angel network at its core, alongside investment literacy and preparation education.
She is an Investor, a Board member of the UKBAA, a NED, and consultant for BHP Accountants.
Previously Helen was a Founding Board Director of multi award winning NorthInvest, and in 2020 she launched Fund Her North, a collective of women in VCs who support female founders to get equal access to finance.
Prior to this Helen was Managing Director of the Yorkshire Post and The Scotsman.
Maxwellia
Chief Financial Officer
Candice, an FCCA-qualified powerhouse, brings her sharp financial savvy and strategic expertise to the Maxwellia team. A wizard with cash flow forecasting, financial controls, and budgeting, she’s got the numbers game mastered.
With a track record of driving growth and streamlining operations, Candice knows how to make businesses thrive. Her deep experience in manufacturing and consumer brand commercialisation perfectly positions her to fuel Maxwellia’s mission of innovating and expanding in the healthcare world. When it comes to building a bright financial future, Candice is the one to watch.
MyMeno
Angel Investor
Nick is an angel investor in MyMeno. He has a portfolio of advisory board roles working alongside founders in FemHealth, FinTech and GreenTech. He is also an accredited coach and mentor working with senior executives and business founders in periods of change. Nick is a former senior partner and head of debt advisory for KPMG in the UK. He has over 25 years of experience in the corporate finance market, spanning fund raising, mergers and acquisitions and capital advisory. He has advised on c£5bn of financing throughout his career. He has been both a CFO and CEO leading businesses through organisational change
Northern Gritstone
Investment Manager
Alison has a background of 6 years investing in and building early-stage businesses across life sciences and deep tech sectors. Alison joined Northern Gritstone from Deepbridge Capital, an SEIS and EIS investor in the North-West, where she managed investments into start up and scale up companies. Prior to her investment career, Alison graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in Biological Sciences.
Research into women’s health has been underfunded for decades. Conditions that mostly or only affect women, such as endometriosis, pelvic floor disorders and urinary tract infections, are largely understudied compared to those that predominantly affect men. How can we close this gender gap in healthcare?
Seuss+
Chief Executive Officer
Sabine Hutchison combines her scientific expertise and entrepreneurial insights as the co-founder and co-CEO of Seuss+, an organization dedicated to supporting biotech and pharmaceutical sponsors in navigating the complexities of vendor selection and management to achieve successful clinical development outcomes. A passionate advocate for gender parity, Sabine leads initiatives with HBA EMEA to foster environments where women can thrive and advance gender equity globally. As the founder of The Ripple Network, she empowers women to amplify their stories and maximize their impact. Sabine’s upcoming book, Beyond the Ladder: A Woman’s Career Guide to Clarity, Impact, & Legacy, will offer practical exercises, tools, and insights to help women navigate their careers, define success on their own terms, and leave a meaningful legacy.
OvartiX
Co-Founder
Cambridge University Genomic Medicine PhD on a mission to reshape the future of women’s health by developing prediction tools and next generation therapeutics for female reproductive disorders.
A young leader with an excellent international academic record (Nature, Science, Nature Medicine) and outstanding achievements in health-tech transfer and innovations. Based on her impact, Stasa was awarded ‘McKinsey&Company Next Generation Women Leader’ for 2020, the best young investigator under the age of 40 by the International Menopause Society (‘Robert Greenblatt Award’), one of ten best UK young scientists in the biomedical sector by the UK Government ‘STEM for Britain’, and she is considered as one of 11 scientists with the highest impact on innovations in women’s health and menopause by Forbes.
Cellular Highways
Global Commercial Vice President
I am a senior leader in the biotech industry, with a deep commitment to advancing health
equity for underrepresented groups. With a distinguished career driving the
commercialisation of on innovative and groundbreaking life science research solutions such
as gene sequencing, I am a passionate advocate for integrating genomics into efforts to reduce
health disparities. I am actively involved in several projects centred around genomics,
emphasising the need for broader participation and representation of underrepresented groups
in genomic research to ensure that the benefits of precision medicine are enjoyed by
everyone.
In addition to my work in genomic equity, I recently founded In Bloom Health Ltd, a
company dedicated to empowering women with the knowledge and resources they need to
advocate for the best possible care within the healthcare system. In Bloom Health equips
women—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds (e.g. Black and/or
Neurodivergent women)—with information that helps them navigate healthcare challenges
and make informed decisions about their health. The company’s mission is rooted in the
belief that health equity begins with access to information and the ability to advocate for
oneself. By driving conversations around the intersection of medical research, funding
policies and social equity, I seek to champion environments where equitable access to
healthcare becomes a reality.
Lucid Group
Managing Director
I lead a team of usability, compliance, engineering, design and manufacturing specialists at Lucid. We create, prototype and deliver innovative products and digital interactions, for health, personal care and scientific markets.
My focus is on developing great product experiences, compliant with complex regulatory constraints.
Lucid is accredited to ISO 13485 for medical device design and manufacturing. Most of our work involves wireless comms, intuitive digital user interfaces, electronics and mechanical development. Outside of healthcare we apply the same skills to other compliance constrained fields such as ATEX/ICEX devices, security systems, to cosmetic rejuvenation products, toys and games.
Lucid’s team can help clients to source production, manage statutory test and product delivery. Much of our work is spotting and planning the development of early stage opportunities, particularly for VCs and Universities. We make product for usability evaluation, clinical investigations and batch production, with facilities to 3D print, laser cut, mould, test and assemble in house.
I’ve collected a broad skill set over 30 years of working in product development. I’m an MBA graduate, a Chartered Engineer, a member of the Institute of Engineering Designers and have been a board member of the British Industrial Design Association.
Peachaus
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
After an extensive career in fashion both here in the UK & Australia I am proud to be launching Peachaus, a lifestyle label with an ethical essence.
Peachaus is at the beginning of a longer journey that’s rooted in positivity. Why shouldn’t a fashion brand be a space for optimism, storytelling, spotlighting other organisations and individuals doing brilliant things? I think it should. We want to collaborate with amazing creatives and with our customers, giving them the opportunity to actively shape the dialogue and artistic direction we take. Ultimately, we want to provide a platform that supports and celebrates people and raises voices of hope.
NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Accelerated Surgical Care
Co-Director
I have over 15 years experience in leadership roles, developing and implementing strategy as part of research programme grants for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) in England. This has included leading change management initiatives, supporting clinical research teams to develop long term strategies to improve on their business development capabilities; as well as improving business processes by making them more efficient and effective, to deliver on goals and objectives.
As a coach and mentor, I help individuals think creatively to come up with long term solutions to their problems and identify new opportunities that support their goals. If I’m not advocating for informed decision making, you can find me spending lots of time volunteering with organisations that support the welfare of children and young people.
Women are making huge strides in shaping healthcare policies, advancing medical research, and revolutionizing patient care. How can we create a more inclusive culture to empower more women leaders in healthcare and business?
Kathryn Simpson Consulting Limited
Business Consultant
Kathryn is a respected and successful change leadership expert, with diverse career experience in Europe and North America. She has over 25 years of consulting and line experience with leading organisations (Unilever, Mars, KPMG and GSK). Since 2007 she has been leading her own independent consulting business, primarily working within the Life Sciences sector. By partnering with leaders at all levels within the sector, growth and sustainable success has resulted for the organisations she has worked with. She has recently published a book – “Leading for Change: How to thrive during uncertain times”.
She provides each organisation the approaches they need to meet their unique situation. Tailored approaches are used to develop a consolidated understanding of their environment and the priority challenges they face. This provides the basis for facilitating customised workshops where leaders not only create a desired future, but are ready to move forward and implement their ideas. Working with individual leaders or teams she advises how to bring other stakeholders with them so they achieve success together. These practical and supportive approaches create focus, accountability and collaboration across organisations and their partners. Organisations are left with an increased leadership capability and tangible business results.
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association EMEA
Innovation Lead
Sahana is an enthusiastic professional with 20+ years’ international experience in R&D, Procurement, and Operations in the Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Goods sectors. She is an authentic, purpose driven leader with an ability to motivate people, develop trust and drive value for her organization. She is passionate about creating high performing teams and bringing innovative projects to life. Sahana empowers the next generation to be productive, successful and make a difference through a growth mindset and process excellence. Sahana has worked within Johnson and Johnson for 17 years, Addex Pharmaceuticals and the University of Nottingham. Having lived and worked across continents, she is culturally sensitive and is able to interact very easily with people/situations from diverse backgrounds.
Sahana is a Diversity Champion having worked in Diversity and Inclusion, and women’s empowerment for more than 20 years. She is an active volunteer within the Healthcare Business Women’s Association (HBA), and is currently leading Innovation for HBA EMEA.
Sahana received the Corporate Pathfinder’s award from HBA in 2020, and was nominated by Johnson and Johnson as a HBA Rising Star in 2022.
Sahana has a BPharm from Goa University (India), an MPhil and PhD from the University of Nottingham (UK) and an Executive MBA from Great Lakes Institute of Management (India).
Novartis
Global Head Wellbeing
Alex Hogarty is Global Head Wellbeing at Novartis, an innovative medicines company. Alex is an accomplished business transformation leader with 20+ years’ experience enhancing people experiences across a range of multinational organizations. In his role as Global Head Wellbeing, Alex is creating systematic change across Novartis to embed a care agenda by prioritizing the mental health and wellbeing of their people.
Femtech is a rapidly growing market, attracting the attention of investors and developers. This diverse range of technologies, apps, services and softwares promise innovative solutions to women’s health and wellness needs. How can we ensure the sustained and long-term growth of femtech to address healthcare inequalities?
Four Points Health
Partner
Aahuti is an active leader in the UK/Europe health innovation sector for the past 6 years. She works with healthcare providers, investors and innovators to scale and transform health care services using technology as a key enabler. Her specific focus is in the areas of strategy, commercialisation, clinical adoption and patient engagement. Prior to her move into health-tech, Aahuti spent 20+ years delivering innovation strategies and large scale changes within well-respected multi-nationals across 14 industries through her business Four Points. Now fully immersed in healthcare and life sciences, she holds NED & Advisory roles for health-tech companies and is also the Commercial Lead for Women’s Health Services at Modality LLP, one of the largest primary care providers in England. Additionally, she is a Venture Partner with Conduit Connect and Young Lives vs. Cancer – both of whom operate impact funds; and she sits on the Development Board for MQ Mental Health, a research charity.
BoobyBiome
Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder
Lydia is CEO and co-founder of BoobyBiome, a company developing bacterial products for infants from the breast milk microbiome. As a microbiologist, Lydia is passionate about creating solutions in the real world for healthcare and the environment using biotechnology. Lydia has pursued this interest throughout her career; winning the Best Therapeutic prize at the international synthetic biology competition iGEM (2017), through her PhD research at University College London where she has published and presented her work widely from conferences to music festivals (2017-2022) and by winning the UCL Grand Challenges award to set up the first UK infant microbiome conference at the Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street hospital (2020). Lydia launched BoobyBiome with her co-founders in 2019 after participating in numerous Start-up accelerators and workshops (including BiotechYES, Imagine IF, PULSE, Panacea Stars). To date, Lydia and the BoobyBiome team have team successfully won four grant awards (from the BBSRC and Innovate UK) and completed a private equity round to carry R&D at the company forward. Keen to share her expertise, Lydia mentors iGEM and BiotechYES teams and also guest lectures to MSc students on Birkbeck University’s Bio-Business course.
Adora Digital Health
Head of Research
Jean has a background in academic research and teaching, and was previously Senior Research Fellow at UCL specialising in health service research and evaluation. Prior to joining Adora, Jean worked as Research and Evaluation Lead at NHS England within the Digital First Primary Care and Primary Care Transformation programmes. Jean brings expertise in stakeholder engagement, digital health, NHS policy, evaluation and user research. She is leading a pilot study for Adora across primary care and Adora’s co-design project in Scotland working with NHS organisations. Jean is passionate about improving women’s health by developing evidence based and user-friendly innovations.
Team Consulting
Senior Strategy and Innovation Consultant and FemTech Lead
As a senior Consultant in the Front End Innovation team, Lara focuses on the strategic directions of early-stage medical device design. Her role involves applying cognitive and behavioural science insights to optimise the strategy, UX design, and clinical implementation of innovations to improve patient and clinician experiences. Lara leads FemTech at Team, developing user-centred approaches that tackle unconscious bias in medical device development to build technologies that close the gender health gap. Lara holds an MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology from Leiden University, and a BSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from Brown University.
Bruntwood SciTech
Head of Innovation
Andy Roberts is Head of Innovation at Bruntwood SciTech, covering Life Sciences in the north. He is responsible for growing the innovation and business support ecosystems at Bruntwood SciTech’s various life science campuses, and runs structured Accelerator and Incubator programmes, as well as providing ad hoc support to C-suite individuals and teams. Prior to this role, Andy spent 12 years as a senior scientist at AstraZeneca, followed by around 10 years as a medtech entrepreneur, working mainly in diagnostics and medical devices.
1, Circle Square is a thriving hub of pioneering global brands and start-ups in creative digital tech. Here you’ll find businesses working across Internet of Things, AI, blockchain, web3, AR & VR, cloud computing, energy tech and more. We offer high-quality, flexible office space, meeting rooms and event space, alongside a bespoke programme of business support giving you access to funding, training and collaboration.
Bruntwood SciTech is the country’s leading developer of city-wide innovation ecosystems, and the largest dedicated property platform for the UK knowledge economy. Alongside a 50-year track record in the property industry, we bring a wealth of experience in creating and developing strategic partnerships with UK regional cities, universities and NHS Trusts.
Offering premium office and lab space, a range of scientific services and specialist business support, we are perfectly placed to help companies – particularly those in the science and technology sectors – to form, scale and grow.
Circle Square is located at the heart of Manchester’s Oxford Road. Just a short walk from the city’s major transport links, accessed by one of the best connected public transport routes in the North of England.
https://circlesquaremanchester.com/getting-here/
1, Circle Square
3 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS, United Kingdom
